Jimmy Walker's injury blow for Saddlers

Walsall were today rocked as Jimmy Walker was ruled out until the new year with a hamstring injury.

The stopper missed yesterday's stunning 1-0 win at Charlton as the Saddlers moved off the bottom of the table with just their third win in 16 League One games.

Jonny Brain deputised for the 37-year-old and boss Chris Hutchings confirmed the keeper will miss the vital Christmas period.

He said: "Jimmy tweaked his hamstring in training so he could be two or three weeks, which is a blow.

"But I was delighted for Jonny to come in and keep a clean sheet. He didn't have much to do and that was a pleasing aspect of our defensive play."

The news soured Sunday's excellent win and losing Walker is a massive blow to the Saddlers who face three of their relegation rivals in the next four games.

They welcome promotion-chasing Southampton on Saturday before a Boxing Day trip to Bristol Rovers and home showdowns with Dagenham and Redbridge and Notts County.

Walker could miss all of them as the Saddlers eye escaping the drop zone for the first time since the end of September.

They are still five points from safety and Hutchings called on his team to prove their win at The Valley – after Matt Richards' 69th minute strike – was no fluke.

He said: "We were due a win, it's been a long time coming. It shows we do have quality but you've got to do it on a consistent basis, they've set the standards and it remains to be seen whether we can do it again and again.

"We've got three points, we've got to keep our feet on the ground and will be working extremely hard to get more three points.

"We have to make sure we don't get carried away and not say much in the press because things get taken out of context and it's still a long, long season."

Results on Saturday kept the heat on the Saddlers as their relegation rivals picked up points and Hutchings said he used the scores to inspire his men.

He said: "We mentioned Brentford winning at Southampton and Dagenham and Redbridge beating Carlisle so if that doesn't get you going what does?

"We'll be preparing for next weekend now."